Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: blindluck on December 23, 2014, 06:56:47 AM

Title: What brass should I use
Post by: blindluck on December 23, 2014, 06:56:47 AM: Any info would be appreciated, I'm finally about to start reloading with the new equipment I bought 2 years ago. I have 150 Hornady's ready for reload. Just wondering if I should use them or buy a different brand. I know there are many elements of reloading to make an accurate round and this is just one. I'm guessing the Hornady is pretty good but would like to hear from experience. thanks
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: C-Money on December 23, 2014, 07:06:38 AM: Hornaday brass should be fine! I usually buy Winchester brass when I buy new brass. I will save and reload Federal, Remington, and Winchester when I acquire factory brass. Hornaday brass should be up there with the best!
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: wadu1 on December 23, 2014, 07:24:33 AM: Everyone that loads will have an opinion on this subject. Your Hornady's will be up there with the best as C-Money said in his reply. I personally like Nosler for new sized and trimmed brass for bulk I get Nickel Plated Remington. Just have fun loading :twocents:
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: Kittman on December 23, 2014, 08:14:15 AM: All brass will should be ok. It seems like Remington brass spends more time in the tumbler though. If using military head stamped stuff, I would consider reducing powder charges slightly ~5-10% as the tend to have more case structure and less internal capacity. Lately I've been loading and having very good success with Combined Technologies Ballistic Tips. And the loaded rounds sure look nice!
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: bigsads on December 23, 2014, 08:15:27 AM: Any of those brands of brass will be fine, just make sure to inspect brass for flaws and fractures when you go to reload. Unless your going for distance 600+ on the regular worry more about your powder and bullet combination
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: Biggerhammer on December 24, 2014, 05:52:06 AM: It also depends on the cartridge your shooting.
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: RadSav on December 24, 2014, 06:58:08 AM: I've been finding the Hornady stuff a little hard. I get one reload and then need to anneal or I get a bunch of cracked necks in the 7Mag. Don't seem to have that issue with Nosler and Remington stuff. Though I have very little Hornady stuff and I suppose that could be a lot# issue. I do see a difference between Hornady and Frontier head stamp too. Both in dimension and case life even though they have all come from the same flavor Hornady ammo. Surprisingly I have had really good luck with the cheap bulk Remington stuff in 308 Win and 270WSM.
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: Rich_S on December 24, 2014, 12:18:48 PM: Quote from: bigsads on December 23, 2014, 08:15:27 AM
Any of those brands of brass will be fine, just make sure to inspect brass for flaws and fractures when you go to reload. Unless your going for distance 600+ on the regular worry more about your powder and bullet combination

:yeah: Also, for at least the first inspection, I recommend you straighten out a paperclip (or start with a straight piece of stiff wire), then snip the end with wire cutters to sharpen it. Bend the sharp tip of the wire (1/8" or so) to a right angle. Bend the other end in the same direction (1" or so) for a handle which also tells you which way the sharp tip is pointed.

Insert the wire into each case to the bottom, then stroke the inside of the brass gently up the inside of the case. If there is a groove - especially near the bottom of the case, you'll probably feel it. If/when you find one, crush the case with pliers or, to see exactly what it loos like, split the case lengthwise with a bandsaw or coping saw.

A groove, or thin spot, renders a case useless for reloading. Strangely enough, my wife's tack-driving (there's that word again!) .243 will only allow one reloading of a case before I have to toss them. Yes, I neck-size only and check the overall length of the cartridge, but it has split a half dozen cases over the years. As little as she shoots it now (zero times in the last ten years), I just toss the brass and never reload once-fired stuff.

Have fun!
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: jasnt on December 28, 2014, 02:08:51 PM: I've had great luck with hornady brass(243 w). I anneal every fifth loading and have one 50 lot that's over 100 loadings now. Not a single cracked neck since I learned to anneal. Nosler brass is great too. Winchester seemed to be the worst I've used so far,at least in my 300wm. Extreme Neck thickness variations caused my to give it all away.
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: jay.sharkbait on December 28, 2014, 02:42:21 PM: Quote from: jasnt on December 28, 2014, 02:08:51 PM
I've had great luck with hornady brass(243 w). I anneal every fifth loading and have one 50 lot that's over 100 loadings now. Not a single cracked neck since I learned to anneal. Nosler brass is great too. Winchester seemed to be the worst I've used so far,at least in my 300wm. Extreme Neck thickness variations caused my to give it all away.

How many .243's do you have?
Title: Re: What brass should I use
Post by: jasnt on December 28, 2014, 04:23:00 PM: Quote from: jay.sharkbait on December 28, 2014, 02:42:21 PM
Quote from: jasnt on December 28, 2014, 02:08:51 PM
I've had great luck with hornady brass(243 w). I anneal every fifth loading and have one 50 lot that's over 100 loadings now. Not a single cracked neck since I learned to anneal. Nosler brass is great too. Winchester seemed to be the worst I've used so far,at least in my 300wm. Extreme Neck thickness variations caused my to give it all away.

How many .243's do you have?
two now. 4700plus rounds of that went threw one of them. Its the loner rifle now lol